Chapter XXVI: Retreat
Saltrall and Korra ran out of the TARDIS and ran up to Lin in the courtyard as she told the airbender kids to go back into the house.
"We heard explosions, what's going on?" Korra asked as the others ran out to see what was going on, too.
"Republic City is under attack." Was all Lin said in reply.
"We need to get over there, come on, let's take the boat," Mako said, turning towards the dock.
"No, it's too slow, let's take my TARDIS," Saltrall replied, looking back over at it.
"Are you crazy? We can't all fit inside that!" Bolin exclaimed, looking at the large rock that was the TARDIS.
Saltrall just smirked and grabbed Korra's arm and they ran back to the TARDIS, leaving the others no choice but to follow. Saltrall used his Sonic to open the door and they all ran in.
"Right, first things first we to find a good place to land," Saltrall said as he jumped in front of the console, "Anyone have any-" He started, turning to look at the others only to see them looking around in aw.
"Yes, yes, I know, spit it out, we're kind of in a hurry!" Saltrall said, trying to hurry up the inevitable.
"It's bigger on the inside than the outside!" Bolin shouted, his eyes filled with excitement.
"Yes, welcome to my ship; Time And Relative Dimensions In Space, or TARDIS, now stop gawking, we have a city to save!" Saltrall said in a hurried, slightly annoyed tone, scanning the city on his monitor. Finally finding what he was looking for he ran around the console and pulled the lever.
Everyone grabbed onto things as the TARDIS shook and took off. Saltrall began grabbing things from around the room, including his staser and undershirt as the TARDIS landed.
"Right, let's get to work," He said, grabbing his Sonic and walking out the door, followed by the others.
Team Avatar ran to a car that was rammed into a pole while Saltrall looked around.
"Hey, you coming Saltrall?" Asami shouted back at him from the driver's seat, "You go ahead, I'll catch up!" He shouted back. Asami smiled and nodded knowingly and they sped away.
Saltrall looked around before running off in the opposite direction, towards the police station. He ran inside just as the power went dead and he stopped, panting, before drawing his Sonic and using it as a flashlight. It wasn't until he stopped that he noticed smoke pouring out the vents near the ceiling.
"Fan-bloody-tastic," he mumbled to himself as he put an arm over his nose and mouth.
He heard people coming towards him and pointed his Sonic in that direction but relaxed when he saw Tenzin and some policemen emerge from a smoke filled hallway surrounded by an air pocket.
"Tenzin! Man, I'm glad to see you," Saltrall said as they came over.
"Saltrall, what are you doing here?" Tenzin asked as he walked over.
"Oh you know, just out on the town, wanted to drop by," Saltrall replied sarcastically, "No, I'm here to help, come on!" He said as he turned and ran back to the door with the others close behind him.
They ran out but stopped quickly as there were 6 mecha tanks closing in on the entrance.
"Mecha tanks, it's always mecha tanks!" Saltrall exclaimed as he looked at all of them.
The tanks attacked them and captured the policemen and Saikhan. Tenzin and Saltrall tried to fight them but were soon overwhelmed. Tenzin was knocked out and being carried to a truck while Saltrall was distracted by some of the tanks. He was becoming desperate when he saw Asami and the others arrive in the nick of time.
"Thank God!" He exclaimed before he noticed an Equalist charging him.
Saltrall quickly drew his staser and shot the Equalist in the chest and he collapsed in a heap. He smirked softly and helped the others fend off the last of the tanks.
When the situation was dealt with Saltrall walked over to the group.
"It's a good thing you got here when you did," He said, looking at all of them, "we were in a bad place.
Asami smiled and nodded, "Anytime," she said before looking over at Korra, who was rushing over to Tenzin. Saltrall sighed in relief that there was a lull in fighting, no matter how temporary. His attention was soon drawn away when Mako pointed towards Air Temple Island.
"Oh no," Tenzin said, a shocked expression on his face, seeing the Equalist airship that was attacking the island.
"Come on, let's take the TARDIS back," Saltrall said, turning to run back towards his ship, but Mako stopped him.
"No, I think we should take Oogi back," He said, crossing his arms.
"What, why?" Saltrall replied, looking at him, "The TARDIS can get us there instantaneously, it's a much better idea."
"I think it'd be better for us to be able to see what we're getting into before we get into it." Mako replied flatly.
The others all mumbled in agreement except for Korra, who was silent.
"Come on Korra, you know it's the right thing to do," Mako said, obviously trying to urge her on to his side, making Saltrall clench his jaw but he didn't say anything.
"I know, but..." She started, looking at Saltrall. Saltrall just turned away from her gaze.
"Go with them, we don't have time to argue," He said before running off without a second glance.
Korra frowned and looked at the ground but she looked up when she felt Mako tug on her hand.
"Come on, we have to go," He urged her. She nodded softly and they ran after the others.
Saltrall growled softly as he slammed the TARDIS' door behind him.
"That son of a bitch," He growled, throwing his Sonic onto the couch. He felt like Mako suggesting an alternative to his idea and then trying to urge Korra away from Saltrall was a personal attack. He fumed quietly as he threw down the levers and twisted the knobs that controlled the TARDIS.
He threw the lever and took off, still scowling and grabbed his Sonic as the TARDIS landed. He applied the brakes and stormed out of the craft. He saw that the others were already there and Tenzin was hugging his kids and he walked over.
Mako smirked a little when he saw him approach.
"I told you it was quicker," He said, a hint of smugness in his voice.
"Shut up, I took my time," Saltrall snapped back angrily. Korra frowned and looked at him before walking over to him and pulling him aside, causing Mako to scowl jealously.
"What's going on?" She asked Saltrall quietly once they were away from the others a bit. Saltrall took a deep breath and let it out through his nose, trying to calm down, but not having much success.
"He did that to spite me," Saltrall replied, cracking his knuckles.
"Why would he do that?" Korra asked, a little surprised at the accusation.
"He's probably jealous," Saltrall replied, "he loves you and he's worried that I'm trying to take you away from him, even though you aren't with him."
Korra looked down, realizing what he said was true. Saltrall sighed and rubbed his neck.
"It doesn't matter, I've calmed down, we can talk about this later." He said softly.
"You sure?" She asked, looking at him. He nodded and she smiled softly.
"Come on, the others are probably wondering what's going on." Saltrall said and Korra nodded in agreement and they walked back over with the others.
Saltrall watched as Tenzin ran inside and walked over to Lin.
"Where's Tenzin going?" He asked Lin, watching him go.
"Pema's gone into labor," Lin replied seriously.
"Oh," Saltrall said, surprised, "Gotta admit, timing could've been a bit better."
Lin chuckled and shook her head, "I think we all would've preferred that, Saltrall."
Saltrall smiled and turned but his smile faded when he saw the other airships coming towards the island.
Lin looked where he was and frowned. "Korra, Mako, come on, we need to get Tenzin and the others," She said as she turned and ran inside, followed by Mako and Korra.
Saltrall ran over to the others as they watched the airships close in quickly. He grabbed both Bolin's and Asami's hands and dragged them towards the TARDIS.
"Hey, what about the others?" Bolin asked, trying to get free, but Saltrall opened the door to the TARDIS instead.
"Get in, and stay in, I'll get the others, and this time I'm not taking no for an answer." Saltrall replied seriously as he looked at both of them.
Asami nodded and went in, followed by Bolin. Saltrall turned and saw the others coming out and ran over to them.
"I got Asami and Bolin in the TARDIS where it's safe, come on we need to go," Saltrall said as he panted softly before he noticed Tenzin getting Oogi ready, "Tenzin, where are you and your family going?"
"I'm just getting them away from here," Tenzin replied without looking at him. Saltrall nodded in understanding before looking at Mako.
"Get in the TARDIS," Saltrall said before turning to Korra, "Get Naga and bring her, too," He looked up, "I'll stay here and help until you're ready." Korra tried to argue but Saltrall stopped her, "No arguing. Go!"
Korra nodded and ran off to get Naga while Mako grabbed Saltrall's arm, making him look at him.
"You sure this is the right move?" He asked, concerned.
Saltrall nodded. "100 percent positive," He replied. Mako smiled softly and turned to run to the TARDIS. "Mako, wait," Saltrall said, causing Mako to look at him. "I'm sorry for earlier,"
Mako nodded, "Yeah, me too, but we need to put that behind us," He replied as he ran off just as a cable landed from the air ship.
Saltrall drew his sonic and used it on the cable, snapping it, sending the few Equalists on it falling into the bay below. Saltrall looked over and made sure Oogi took off safely and focused back on the airship.
"Saltrall, come on!" Korra shouted from behind him. He turned and ran over, hopping on Naga's back behind her as they made it to the TARDIS. Mako was waiting by the door and closed it once they were in.
"I didn't think she was gonna fit, looking at it from the outside," Korra said as she slid down Naga's side. Saltrall hopped off and walked over to the console.
"It's an illusion, the door is, as you can see," Saltrall motioned towards the door, "more than wide enough, but it looks thinner to maintain the camouflage."
Saltrall pulled the lever and they took off. He sighed softly and turned around. The others were looking around nervously and Naga was sniffing around.
"So, what now?" Saltrall asked Korra and Mako who were standing next to each other, "You two went in, what's the plan?"
"We go into hiding, at least for a bit," Korra said looking at him.
"We could stay in here, it seems like a nice enough place," Bolin chimed in from behind Korra and Mako.
"I don't know, I can take us-" Saltrall started before he was interrupted by a banging on the door.
"Get this door open!" He heard the Equalist Lieutenant say from the other side.
"Shit, no time to discuss things," Saltrall said, quickly putting in some coordinates into the console and pulling the lever, sending them off to safety away from the island.